Bulldog BottomLine

Page Content

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Hill Influence Leads Grad to Wharton

by Jerome Saintjones

A 2013 magna cum laude finance gradu­ate of Alabama A&M University is still reaping the benefits from years of prepara­tion that began in her native Stone Mountain, Ga., where she ultimately ranked fifth in a sizeable graduating class at her beloved Redan High School, and has propelled to her acceptance in The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

For Timka Lockheart, the sowing of commitment and hard work has yielded one blossoming opportunity after another. The years at Redan and the successes and nurtur­ing within her own home sur­roundings led to an academic scholarship at AAMU, where the distinctions continued to grow.

Fast forward: Timka made the Dean’s List, achieved the Hon­or Roll semester after semes­ter, and was a President’s Cup recipient. With confidence growing, she even joined the Gamma Mu chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., in her sophomore year and went on to serve in leadership posi­tions within the chapter.

Lockheart’s colle­giate involvements did not rest there. She was very active in the Stu­dent Government As­sociation (SGA) as its executive treasurer. And, not only did she serve AAMU as a University Ambassador, but she was also a Thurgood Mar­shall College Fund Student Ambassador and was particu­larly looked up to as presi­dent of the AAMU Honors Program. She advised AAMU President Andrew Hugine, Jr., on issues and needs pertinent to students during her time as part of the SGA.

After graduation, Timka moved to New York City to work in investment banking, later transitioning into corpo­rate public relations and advi­sory work. An active men­tor for women of color, she contributes to a site focused on empowering black women called “Dear Sista Friend” and even has helped to co-write a diversity and inclusion news­letter at her firm.

“My time at Barclays in the investment banking division was eye-opening,” she said. “I worked in debt capital mar­kets, covering tech, media and telecom companies, helping large corporations raising debt for their financing needs.” She was the only black woman in her analyst class, the only woman on her team and one of few women on the trading floor.

However, Lockheart’s decision to move on to the Brunswick Group grew out of a desire for a new skill set and self-challenge.

“I developed my writing skills and pushed my critical thinking skills to a new level,” said Lockheart. “While at Bar­clays, I learned a lot about cor­porate finance and how CFOs think through funding their businesses. At Brunswick, I’ve been pushed to think through how CEOs and communica­tions teams process challenges facing their businesses. I’ve worked on everything from new non-profit initiatives and M&A deals to corporate an­nouncements and crises facing corporations.”

With so many pluses upon which to set herself apart from the crowd, it remains both exciting and equally not surprising that she would be accepted as a Lana Woods fellow at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylva­nia, among the best business schools throughout the globe.

The path to The Wharton School was paved back at The Village, where, according to Lockheart, she had “a mighty tribe of strong teachers and mentors around.” Among these influences were Profes­sor Barbara Jones, Mrs. Carla Holloway of the Honors Pro­gram, Ms. Robyn Jackson, Dr. Mohammad Robbani and Ms. Terry Miller. She also credited the MLT Career Prep coach Holly Jackson, SEO coach Andrea O’Neal, Luke Herbert, Nicole Reboe, Siobhan Devine and Radina Russell as proponents of her success.

The Wharton School endeavor, along with gaining acceptance, was an entirely different animal. Her inner fortress, though, reminded her that all would be fine, regard­less of the outcome.

“This process was very trying, and I had doubts about my abilities,” she recalled. “Could I do it? Would I get in? Could I be myself? With my faith in God and in myself, I knew I would be a winner no matter what.”

She continued: “I used all of the hard things I’d been through before related to my career, personal life, and family as evidence that if I got through those things, I could get through anything. His Grace is always sufficient and always will be.”

Lockheart views the inevitable completion of her MBA studies at an Ivy League institution as a furtherance of her purpose of giving back and being an inspiration and beacon to little black girls whose dreams seem really far away.

“I know my years of self-discipline, diligence and prayer have helped me get here,” said the future Wharton alumna. “I want to let others know that they can do it—no matter where they’ve been or what they’ve been through.” Lockheart’s favorite book is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, a short fable about a shepherd seeking to fulfill his personal legend. It reminds her that life happens, and it is our reaction to difficult circumstances that matter the most.

“There is a lesson even in the biggest tragedies, and we can always triumph,” said Lockheart. “I’ve been through really hard things, but I’ve al­ways found a way to come out a winner. Life continues.”

by Jerome Saintjones

[Editor’s Note:A full version of this story will appear in the Fall 2018 edition of the Normal Index magazine.]

_______________________

AAMU Continues Longstanding Relationship with Disney

Alabama A&M University has enjoyed a productive relationship with the Walt Disney Company that exceeds 25 years.Throughout that period, AAMU students have interned and later been employed at the company’s various units.

Retired Career Development Services (CDS) Director Brenda D. Davis, who headed the AAMU office from 1992-2008, recalls a period when Disney was among AAMU’s top recruiters.Nearly 20 years ago, Davis was selected by Disney to serve a four-year stint on its College Advisory Board.She was instrumental in the development of student recruitment criteria, programs and even housing policies for the company.

Although Disney’s national college program began as early as 1981, it was known then as The Magic Kingdom College Program (MKCP).As Disney continued to expand its operations, the official name of the program also changed several times.In 2004, for example, the college component was renamed the Disney Theme Parks and Resorts College Program.Today, however, the program is promoted as the Disney College Program, and its student participant reach about 8,000 annually from AAMU and some 300 other colleges and universities.

The generational relationship AAMU has with Disney continues under Yvette Clayton, current CDS director at AAMU.

“It’s such a global company, with so many different areas, that they were very receptive to lots of students applying, and we’re always committed to trying to make sure every major gets some opportunity.”

Clayton says Disney still visits campuses, but because its brand is so strong, word of mouth travels quickly.

“Our students that have worked there encourage other students to apply, but it’s still a very competitive process,” she said. “We just hope it continues. We want to see more students have more opportunities with Disney. It is very customer service-oriented. We’re very proud that not only are our students getting there, but they are doing well.”

Recently, in recognition of being a key partner in Disney’s mostly virtual recruitment and internship efforts, AAMU was been selected as a Distinguished Disney College Program Institution.

“There is a tremendous sense of pride that comes along with seeing each of AAMU College Program participants embrace and grow with this experience,” said Kristi Breen, vice president, Disney International and Campus Programs and DCL Recruitment.

THE ULTIMATE: The Gulf Coast Challenge, “the Ultimate HBCU Experience,” will feature the Mighty Alabama A&M University’s Bulldogs versus the Southern University Jaguars. This game will take place Saturday, September 22, 2018, at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. So, what do we mean by the Ultimate HBCU Experience? During the week of the game, we will have a golf tournament, several concerts, parade, pep rally, and more. We have also challenged each school to help youth in the area achieve their collegiate goals by offering scholarships. AAMU’s President, Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr., recently visited several of the Port City’s high schools and gave out over $800,000 in scholarships. We are so proud of this huge accomplishment! And, we look forward to having AAMU in the city for years to come. For more information, visit www.thegulfcoastchallenge.com. Like us/Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. - Princess Miller

The “I Fight Against Cancer to Win” Charity Golf Tournament has been scheduled for Friday, July 27, at the Colonial Golf Course in Meridianville, Ala.

The first-ever tournament is sponsored by the Patricia Haley Foundation, a charitable non-profit 501(c)3 organization.The Foundation is dedicated to providing free and professional support services to cancer patients with limited resources.Additionally, thanks to the generous support of local and national businesses, the Foundation is also able to provide high-quality wigs and breast forms for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

The Charity also provides transportation services to cancer patients.Because appointments are imperative for treatment, rides are offered to and from physicians, therapy, chemotherapy and other providers.

Several sponsorship opportunities are available, ranging from Hole Sponsor ($100) to Corporate Sponsorship/Title Sponsor at $2,500.Already, early supporters include the Alabama A&M University Foundation.

“We are turning to our friends in the community to help us give back and bolster our fundraising efforts, says event chairperson Omri Davis.“We welcome participation as an individual player, golf team or sponsor.”

For additional information about the golf tournament of the Patricia Haley Charity, contact Patricia Haley at info@patriciahaleycharity.com or call (256) 693-4709.

_________________________

_______________________

______________________

Councill Federal Credit Union

Summer Hours of Operation

Monday – Thursday

9 am – 11:30

12:30 – 4 pm

Friday

9 am – 1:00 pm

Rufus Gilmore, III, Manager

Councill Federal Credit Union

P.O. Box 267

Normal, AL 35762

Office: 256.372.5379

Fax: 256.372.5765

__________________________

Nobel Laureate Lecture Date Changed

The organizers of the Annual Putcha Venkateswarlu Memorial (Nobel) Lecture have announced that the talk has been changed from its original date set in late November.

Nobel Laureate Klaus von Klitzing (Physics, 1985) will now give his public lecture on Friday, October 26, at the Dawson Building at 3 p.m.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Urban Affairs and New Nontraditional Programs is headed back to Perdido Beach Resort on Friday and Saturday, August 24-25, for the One Health Symposium for Sheep and Goat Production. This event is being held in partnership with Tennessee State University’s College of Agriculture.

The One Health Symposium is designed to educate stakeholders on the basic principles of animal and environmental health, as well as forage and grazing management for sheep and goats.

Guest speakers from the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, Auburn University, Mississippi State University, Tennessee State University, and the United States Department of Agriculture will address such topics as managing forage production systems, hair sheep genetics, veterinary medicine disposal, soil and water quality, goat breed selection, updates on internal parasite management, and much more.

Admission is $30 for all Symposium activities and the hotel cost is $159 plus tax per night. A block of rooms has been reserved for 100 people. To reserve your room directly with Perdido Beach Resort, just call 1-800-634-8001 and mention the group Booking ID #14652.

All participants are expected to pre-register online. Visit www.aces.edu/urban to register, download program brochure, and to obtain Symposium updates. Or call Dr. Maria Browning at (256) 372-4954 or Dr. Karnita Garner at (256) 372-8331 for general information.

Funding for this event is also made possible from the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Capacity Building Grant Program, the Renewable Resources Extension Act Program, and the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.inf